Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941
Sericaglaea signata
This record describes Sericaglaea signata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing color varies widely: light to dark brown, sometimes reddish-brown with purplish gloss in fresh specimens; some have heavy black shading inside irregular subterminal line, with conspicuously paler area outside ST line; veins and lines usually paler brown, obscure; sharp bluish-black spot in lower half of reniform spot; faint thin median line connects one reniform spot with the other when moth is at rest with wings closed; hindwing brown, grayish-brown toward outer margin.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Sericaglaea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Adults may be abundant at moth bait.
Geographic Range
Connecticut to Florida , west to Missouri and Texas.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common from January to May; October to December. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on leaves of basswood, cherry, oak.
Life History
One generation per year; overwinters as an adult.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sericaglaea signata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Maury Heiman , Jay Greenberg , Robert Lord Zimlich , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941
What is Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941?
Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941 (Sericaglaea signata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941?
Wingspan 35-43 mm.
How do you identify Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941?
Adult: forewing color varies widely: light to dark brown, sometimes reddish-brown with purplish gloss in fresh specimens; some have heavy black shading inside irregular subterminal line, with conspicuously paler area outside ST line; veins and lines usually paler brown, obscure; sharp bluish-black spot in lower half of reniform spot; faint thin median line connects one reniform spot with the other when moth is at rest with wings closed; hindwing brown, grayish-brown toward outer margin.
Where is Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Adults may be abundant at moth bait. |
| Range | Connecticut to Florida , west to Missouri and Texas. |
What does Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941 eat?
The diet of the Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941 includes The larvae feed on leaves of basswood, cherry, oak..
When is Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941 active?
Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from January to May; October to December. ( 5 ).
What is the life cycle of a Variable Sallow - Hodges#9941?
One generation per year; overwinters as an adult.